Sexual Health

Sexual health is a vital part of overall physical and mental health. In the UK, sexual health is an essential part of public health. Despite having high healthcare standards, sexual health in the UK still faces particular challenges.

Sexual Health

Access to sexual health services

In the UK, many people have limited access to sexual health services due to geographical and financial barriers. The NHS offers free contraception for eligible people, but some costs are still associated with it, such as travel or prescriptions. Additionally, sexual health clinics often face long waiting times due to a lack of resources, especially in rural areas. This can make it difficult for people to get the care they need on time.

Education on sexual health

Although sex education is taught in schools across the UK, there are still very few resources available for young adults who may be sexually active but do not attend school or college. Furthermore, studies have shown that many teenagers do not have adequate knowledge about contraception and STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). As such, there is a need for more comprehensive sex education programs that focus on both prevention and safe practices when engaging in sexual activity.

STI rates

The 2019 Health Protection Report showed that STIs among young people aged 15-24 were higher than in any other age group in the UK. Chlamydia was the most commonly diagnosed infection, followed by gonorrhoea and genital warts. It is estimated that almost half of all new diagnoses are among this age group each year. There has also been an increase in syphilis cases since 2013, although this may be partially because of better screening methods being used by healthcare professionals.

HIV/AIDS

According to estimates from Public Health England, around 101,600 people are living with HIV in the UK today – approximately one in every 600 individuals over 16 years old will be living with HIV at any given time. Although HIV/AIDS rates have remained relatively stable over the past decade thanks to improved treatments and earlier diagnosis methods, there is still a risk of transmission amongst specific populations, such as men who have sex with men (MSM). Therefore it is essential for those who engage in high-risk activities to seek regular testing for HIV and other STIs so they can receive appropriate treatment if needed.

Prevention methods

All individuals must take steps towards protecting their sexual health and that of their partners through safe sex practices such as using condoms and seeking regular testing for STIs/HIV at local clinics or GP surgeries when necessary. Additionally, when engaging with multiple partners, you must be aware of your partner’s current status before engaging in any sexual activity. This includes asking questions about their recent testing history and their relationship status or partner count, if applicable. Finally, it is essential to remember that everyone should get tested regularly regardless of how ‘at risk’ they may feel – early detection can help prevent further transmission and save lives!

Available sexual health services

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our customer care team or chat with us.

  • Sildenafil - 4 Tablets

    £20.50 per patient

    Our prescribers can prescribe sildenafil tablets (Generic Viagra) at an appropriate dose of either 25mg, 50mg, or 100mg. Sildenafil is just as effective as Viagra but more cost-effective. It works in 1 hour and lasts up to 4 hours.

  • Sildenafil - 8 Tablets

    £30.99 per patient

    Our prescribers can prescribe sildenafil tablets (Generic Viagra) at an appropriate dose of either 25mg, 50mg, or 100mg. Sildenafil is just as effective as Viagra but more cost-effective. It works in 1 hour and lasts up to 4 hours.

  • Tadalafil - 4 Tablets

    £25.99 per patient

    Our prescribers can prescribe Tadalafil Tablets (Generic Cialis) at an appropriate dose of either 10mg or 20mg tablets. Tadalafil can be taken with food, works in 30 minutes, and lasts up to 36 hours.

  • Tadalafil - 8 Tablets

    £40.99 per patient

    Our prescribers can prescribe Tadalafil Tablets (Generic Cialis) at an appropriate dose of either 10mg or 20mg tablets. Tadalafil can be taken with food, works in 30 minutes, and lasts up to 36 hours.

  • Tadalafil Daily - 28 Tablets

    £45.99 per patient

    Our prescribers can prescribe Tadalafil Tablets (Generic Cialis) at an appropriate dose of either 2.5mg or 5mg tablets. At a dose of one tablet daily, Tadalafil enables spontaneous erection.

Find out more about the Erectile Dysfunction Service

  • Morning After Pill - Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC)

    Free

    This service provides free "Morning After Pill" to eligible women aged 13 and above.

  • Pharmacy Contraception Service - Initial Supply

    Free

    This service option is for individuals who wish to start oral contraceptives for the first time, need to restart oral contraception following a pill-free break or switch to an alternative pill following consultation.

  • Pharmacy Contraception Service - Ongoing Supply

    Free

    This service option is for individuals who have been supplied with oral contraceptives by a primary care provider (including general practice and pharmacies) or a sexual health clinic (or equivalent), and a subsequent equivalent supply is needed.

Find out more about the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS)

  • Private Consultation

    £30 per patient

    Gain swift access to our prescribers and receive tailored expert guidance and confidential service via our private consultation.

Find out more about the Private Prescription Service

Frequently asked questions

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our customer care team or chat with us.

    • Where are these services available?

      These services are available in our branches, which are commutable from anywhere in Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Barnsley, Hull, Doncaster, Ripon, Harrogate, Dewsbury, Keighley and Scarborough.

    • Are next-day appointments available?

      Yes, you can get next-day appointments at all our branches. Contact our customer care team if you cannot find an available slot.

    • Could I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

      If you have had unprotected sex (without a condom), there's a chance you could have caught a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

      Arrange to get tested if you:

      • haven't got symptoms but are worried you might have an STI

      • have symptoms such as an unusual discharge

      • feel something is wrong

      If you're sexually active, either stop having sex or make sure you use a condom until you get your test results and know for sure whether or not you have an STI.

      If you have an STI, using a condom will help prevent passing it on. Your sexual partners should also get tested.

      You can get free, confidential advice and treatment from your GP or specialist clinics in your area, including if you're under 16.

      Hospitals often have sexual health clinics (also known as GUM clinics), which test for and treat STIs.

      There are also lots of places that are set up, especially for young people.

      Most STIs can be easily treated, so don't be scared of having a test and finding you do have an STI. 

      Find sexual health information and support services near you

    • I've had sex without a condom. What sould I do?

      If you have had sex without a condom or the condom splits or comes off, there's a risk of pregnancy and STIs.

      The best thing to do is act quickly. The quicker you act, the sooner you can prevent pregnancy or get tested for an STI. 

      Pregnancy

      You can get pregnant if you have sex without a condom or if the condom splits or comes off.

      In this case, to avoid pregnancy, you can either:

      • take the emergency contraceptive pill, sometimes called the morning-after pill, up to 72 hours (3 days) or 120 hours (5 days) after having unprotected sex, depending on the type of pill

      • have an intrauterine device (IUD), sometimes called a coil, fitted up to 120 hours (5 days) after having unprotected sex

      However, try to take emergency contraception before three days or have the coil fitted before five days. The sooner you take it, the more effective it will be.

      Take a pregnancy test if your next period doesn't arrive when you expect it to.

      If you're having sex, don't regularly rely on emergency contraception to stop you from getting pregnant.

      There are lots of contraceptive options you can choose from.

      STIs

      If you have sex without a condom or the condom splits or comes off, you risk getting an STI. 

      If this happens and you're worried you have caught an STI, you can get confidential help and advice in your local area, as well as free testing for STIs, at:

      • sexual health clinics (GUM clinics)

      • some community contraceptive clinics

      • some GPs

      Find sexual health information and support services near you

      Chlamydia

      Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK.

      It can be easily tested for, and testing is free and confidential at a sexual health clinic or GP surgery.

      You can also buy chlamydia testing kits at home, with free tests available online for 15- to 24-year-olds.

      Find free chlamydia tests online for under-25s.

    • I've forgotten to take my pill. What should I do?

      You may not be protected against pregnancy if you have forgotten to take your pill.

      This depends on the type you're taking, how many doses you have missed already, and how many pills are left in the packet.

      Find out what to do if you miss a combined pill and what to do if you miss a progestogen-only pill.

      If you have trouble remembering to take a pill every day, you could consider using another method of contraception, such as the contraceptive implant, contraceptive injection or IUD.

      This means you don't have to think about your contraception every day or every time you have sex.

      You may need to use condoms for extra protection.

      If you need further advice, speak to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible.

      Find out more about the different contraceptive methods.

    • Will medication or being ill affect my pill?

      If you take it correctly, at the right time on the right day, the contraceptive pill is 99% effective.

      But certain things, such as being sick (vomiting), can stop it from working correctly.

      Always read the leaflet inside the packet to know what might affect it.

      Some medicines can prevent the pill from working correctly. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist to advise if they're giving you any medication.

    • If I use a sexual health service will they tell my parents?

      Sexual health services (contraception and pregnancy advice or tests for STIs, including HIV) are free and confidential.

      If you're 13 to 16, you have the same rights to confidentiality as an adult. The doctor, nurse or pharmacist will not tell your parents, or anyone else, as long as they believe that you fully understand the information and decisions involved.

      They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents or carers, but they will not make you.

      Even if the doctor, nurse or pharmacist feels you need to be more mature to decide yourself, the consultation will still be confidential. They will not tell anyone that you saw them or anything about what you said.

      The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe there is a risk to your safety or welfare, such as abuse. The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first.

      The situation is different for people under 13 because the law says that people of this age cannot consent (say yes) to sexual activity. If you're under 13, doctors, nurses and health workers might feel it's in your best interests to involve others, such as a social worker.